I was recently told of a "Streamlined, EMC style Zephyr set" that was sold to an individual in the tri-state area, however, I can not get any more info (yet).

Has anyone heard of this? I hate to start a rumor mill, but this has my interest.

dinwitty

Post subject: Re: Zephy set sold?

Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 2:01 pm

Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pmPosts: 2226

The only active Zephyr I know is the IRM's Nebraska Zephyr, pretty much their pride, its trekked out of the museum for some mainline runs, no idea if they would do anything like this. Would be curious whats happening here if other units are lingering for restoration or whatever.

robertjohndavis

Post subject: Re: Zephy set sold?

Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 2:11 pm

Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 amPosts: 2422

Nova55 wrote:

I was recently told of a "Streamlined, EMC style Zephyr set" that was sold to an individual in the tri-state area, however, I can not get any more info (yet).

Has anyone heard of this? I hate to start a rumor mill, but this has my interest.

The carcass of the Mark Twain Zephyr has been on the market for decades. Maybe someone with a lot of dollars and a dream came forth?

The Mark Twain Zephyr set was parked in the short-lived Chicago, Missouri and Western's (prior ICG/GM&O/C&A, later SPCSL and now UP) Bloomington Yard for several weeks in late 1988, I'm not sure if the fly-by-night crew behind CM&W owned it or if they had just agreed to let someone store it there. I was allowed in the yard in those days and so I went through the whole set, the metal looked good but it was completely tubed, just bare stainless steel everywhere, no windows or any interior furnishings.

I am greatly interested in this report of the sale of the MTZ to "an individual in the tri-state area." I am a director of the Keokuk Union Depot Foundation, which is restoring this 1891 depot which was an important stop for the MTZ. The Keokuk area is referred to as the "Tri-State area" because it's where Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois meet, so I am wondering if we are the "tri-state area" mentioned in the reported sale. We have photos of the MTZ in service on our web site, http://www.keokukuniondepot.org. Please keep us informed if any further information surfaces.

The Keokuk area is referred to as the "Tri-State area" because it's where Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois meet, so I am wondering if we are the "tri-state area" mentioned in the reported sale.

The term is confusing because there are multiple "Tri-State areas" in the US. For example, here in New York, "Tri-State area" is often used to refer to southeastern New York, northern New Jersey, and southern Connecticut, usually in the context of the media market for New York City newspapers and TV and radio stations.

-Philip Marshall

Nova55

Post subject: Re: Zephy set sold?

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 1:02 pm

Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:09 pmPosts: 374

Yes, I should have mentioned the New York "Tri-State", but that is the only one I ever heard of, until now.

Nova 55, Other than the remains already mentioned;there are not any complete Zephyr sets around.

But the Illinois Railway Museum is trying to assemble a "silver train" of Zephyr cars. Recently, they added the Silver Pony dome car.

And the Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola, CA is trying to assemble a California Zephyr up there. They added the Silver Plate dining car a couple of years ago. They also have a Diesel locomotive and a couple of other cars, in need of restoration.

ted66

Mark Locke

Post subject: Re: Zephy set sold?

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 1:57 pm

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:41 pmPosts: 32

Could this possibly be referring to the "Flying Yankee"? It has been a while since any progress reports have been issued.

Burlington site has a list of existing equipment you can peruse plus more to have fun checking on..

There's a number of privateers running these trips either tagged on an Amtrak train or self powered. The interest in such equipment is getting curiouser nad curiouser.

Mtn3781

Post subject: Re: Zephy set sold?

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 12:27 am

Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2017 2:30 pmPosts: 45

Unless it has been moved recently, the MTZ can clearly be seen in google maps sitting on the ground at Gateway Rail Services in Madison, Il. And just to the west of it there is another car sitting on the ground. Wikipedia says it's #500. Why would they be sitting on the ground?

If they are still for sale, what would they be worth?

SERM has a CB&Q slumber coach? Now I'm going to have to go look tomorrow. Hm, after searching the website, not sure what this had to do with the CB&Q. I assume it's in Amtrak colors.

2092 – Slumber Coach – Amtrak Built by Budd in 1959 for the NYC 20th Century Limited number 10802, it was later sold to NP, renumbered as 335, and named Loch Arkaig in 1964. It passed into Amtrak service through CB&Q. It was donated in 2006.

I'll bet that its Gateway Rail Services that is being talked about... they recently added the Mark Twain Zephyr to the cars that they own, along with a buffet - coach from the Pioneer Zephyr (CB&Q 500) as well. Located in Madison, Ill.

Also in the news is several ex-Burlington (Colorado & Southern) Budd non-articulated cars that formerly were on the Black Hills Central, now down in Austin, Texas at the Texas Compound commercial site. In addition to a SP Budd baggage - mail (SP 5008) and Hamberger Grill (SP 10408) is C&S 323 Silver Lining, 606 Silver Beam and 641 Silver Streak.

They also now own the ATSF Budd lounge - dorm - shower - Steward's Room Nambe rounds out their roster, with this car being used in excursion service on the Austin & Texas Central. More can be learned by visiting their website...

"I'll bet that its Gateway Rail Services that is being talked about... they recently added the Mark Twain Zephyr to the cars that they own, along with a buffet - coach from the Pioneer Zephyr (CB&Q 500) as well. Located in Madison, Ill. Cars are currently grounded while restoration work is taking place..."

This may be what the original poster is talking about, but the MTZ was moved to Gateway at least 5-6 years ago. Gateway does not own the set. It is supposedly being stored for several private owners who stepped up to save the train before it was moved to Gateway. There are no firm plans for the set at this time, unless it has been recently sold again to a new group.

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